If you’re someone who is vertically challenged, then trying to fetch something at the top of a bookshelf is a chore. You have to grapple with a wobbly chair that doesn’t get you quite high enough to reach that old cookbook. Well, fumble no further because Karen King has designed the perfect bookcase for you. She’s crafted Higher Ground, a tall shelf with a built-in ladder.

When you’re ready to climb, simply pull on the front of the ladder to reveal its steps. Otherwise, the rungs sit flush to the bookshelf while closed. Higher Ground is equipped with generous handholds and felted feet that protect it from sliding. King’s structure is eco-friendly and built with sustainably harvested wood or reclaimed lumber.

The slim bookshelf is mindful of space, and it emphasizes upwards and not outwards. Higher Ground minimizes the area it takes up on the floor so you have more room for furniture. King’s design doesn't compromise convenience and creates a great-looking solution for retrieving items that are beyond your reach.